Saturday Ceramics

June 07 - August 2 (no class July 5)
8 Saturdays 1:00-4:00pm  

Cost: $195

Have to miss a class? No problem! We offer open studio hours for students to make up missed class time and get the most out of your class session. Our skilled ceramic staff is always available to answer any of your questions. Come early and stay the whole day from 10:00am-4:00pm.

*All tools and clay can be purchased on the first day of class.

This class is designed to demonstrate to the beginner the wide range of techniques clay artists use to make functional and sculptural work. Students will learn through hands on demonstrations how to work with slabs, coils, molds and The Ceramic Shop’s very own invention the Hydro-Bat hump mold. Basic wheel techniques such as how to center, pull a wall, trim a foot will be demonstrated. You will be working with stoneware clay and high-fire glazes. Finished glazed work can be picked up on the 8th week.

Beginning Wheel Throwing
Not running in the summer

By learning the wheel throwing skills of centering, pulling, trimming and glazing you will be able to produce unique and beautiful cups, bowls and plates for everyday use. Utilitarian glazes and how to apply them will be explained through demonstrations and discussing as a group our individual results. Personal one on one attention will be available in order to help achieve individual throwing goals.

*All tools and clay can be purchased on the first day of class.

Intermediate Ceramics
Not running in the Summer

This class is designed for the individual with some experience who is looking to break through to that next level. Hands on demonstrations and more in depth discussion about a variety of processes will be covered. Ryan Greenheck,  a recent graduate from Alfred University, will infuse the class with his passion for clay.

*All tools and clay can be purchased on the first day of class.

Intro To Ceramics

Not Running in the Summer

*All tools and clay can be purchased on the first day of class.

This class is designed to demonstrate to the beginner the wide range of techniques clay artists use to make functional and sculptural work. Students will learn through hands on demonstrations how to work with slabs, coils, the extruder, one part tile molds and The Ceramic Shop’s very own invention the Hydro-Bat. Basic wheel techniques such as how to center, pull a wall, trim a foot and ultimately how to make functional pottery will be covered in the second half of the class.  Glazing techniques will be demonstrated so as to help develop various surfaces and a sense of personal style.

Children's Clay, ages 6+

Not running in the summer

Exposes your child to the fun of working with clay. Projects are designed to focus on each child's imagination and will include both sculpting and wheel throwing. All materials are included.

Weekend Workshops

We have designed a series of short weekend workshops that will fit into busy schedules. Workshops will resume in the summer.

One Day Summer Raku
Mark Lueders
Saturday June 21 (6 hours) 10:00 - 4:00 pm
Cost: $90

Call For availability. We can run a special class for small groups.

We run this class when we have at least 4 students signed up. Call to find out when the next firing will be.

Experience the thrilling process of raku firing! This a great chance to learn about and take part in an exciting 400-year old Japanese tradition. You will learn through hands on experience the practice of this exciting firing as well as how to get desired results with various glazes and engobes. We will do as many firings as we can in our two Raku kilns with work you bring. Each participants is guarenteed atleast one piece will be fired. If you have never even try touched clay, No problem we have bisqued work ready to go. demonstrations will cover how to glaze and fire a homemade raku kiln. Bring a lunch and a friend.

Summer Salt Firing
Brad Johnson
Call For Details
Cost: $95

Don't miss your chance to fire your work in artist, Brad Johnson's, new gas kiln! This unique workshop allows participants the rare chance to explore the effects of salt in an atmospheric kiln. Learn the glazing and firing secrets behind the beautiful "orange peel" look. Each participant should bring ten small to medium sized bisqued pieces made of cone10 clay. Glazing and loading take place on the first day. Unloading and result discussion will follow the second day. Glazes will be provided for this workshop.

Glass Fusing & Slumping Basics
Mark Lueders
Call for details
Cost: $85

Fusing glass, originally developed by the Mesopotamians in the second millennium BC. and then further develped by the Egyptians, is the art of joining pieces of glass together with heat. Participants will be guided through the process of designing with glass, how to cut and fuse glass and how to set up a firing schedule in a computerized pottery kiln. We will be firing with The Ceramic Shop's brand new Nabertherm glass kiln. Each participant will acquire basic glass working skills and create their very own 10" plate. We will provide the molds.
Materials will cost approximately $15 to $30.

Glass Casting / Mold Making
Mark Lueders
Call for details
Cost: $90

Glass casting is the art of pouring or melting glass into molds.This exciting process will allow for three dimensional glass forms. Participants will learn how to create a mold for their very own casting. Pate de verre or "paste of glass" will be discussed and all participants will take home a solid glass casting. Most materials will be covered in the class cost. Participants will have to pay for glass approximately $30-50 and will choose from a avariety of colored billets. Castings will have to be picked up 2 weeks after the class.

Dig Your Own Clay

Robert Deane
Call for details
Cost: $90

This fun two day workshop will have your hands dirty as you learn the process of making clay. Participants will begin the day in Delaware County and canoe to a private location along the creekbeds. As you dig, discover the rich blend of minerals, fine metals, and organic matter that go into making a unique clay body. Spend day two at The Ceramic Shop, mixing and testing your new clay bodies. Find out how your freshly dug materials can also produce beautiful ash glazes that you can use. Each participant will leave the workshop with two new clay bodies and two new glazes

Glaze Calculation
John Hesselberth
Summer Only
Cost: $140

Want to learn how to mix your own glazes? Join John Hesselberth, coauthor of the book Mastering Cone 6 Glazes and author of GlazeMaster software, in this two day hands on glaze testing workshop. Find out what goes into making that perfect glaze. Participants will learn glaze mixing, application, calculation, and testing of your glazes. Proper kiln firing and safety will also be discussed. Demonstrations will be given using the GlazeMaster sofware to formulate glazes and solve common glaze "problems." Each participant is asked to bring 10 small bisqued pieces for glaze tests. Work will be loaded in our cone 6 electric kiln on the first day and unloaded the following Saturday.

Plaster Mold Making
Heather Mae Erickson
Call for details
Cost: $115

This two day worskshop will take the mystery out of using plaster and casting slip. Through hands on tasks, students will learn how to use plaster, make a plaster mold, make their own casting slip, and slip cast an object. Emphasis will be placed on practical, and tangible knowledge of these materials and processes. Each participant will leave the workshop with a mold of their own and a casting.

Use Precious Metal Clay to craft fine silver jewelry. Create at your own pace with this exciting new material that combines the pliability of clay with the elegance and permanence of metal. Once shaped and dried, this putty like substance is fired in a kiln that burns out the organic binder and water, leaving behind an object of pure fine silver. No prior artistic or metal experience is required. Material fees will vary depending on the size of your projects.

Open Studio Hours for all classes
If you  want more time in the studio outside of class, you are welcome to come: Monday - Friday: 9 to 5 and Saturdays from 10-2.

Policy
There are no refunds on classes once session begins. Classes cancelled due to weather will be rescheduled on another date. There are no make-ups for missed classes. Open studio hours are provided to make-up for missed class time.

Inbetween Sessions
We offer a unique opportunity for students who know they want to continue on in between classes. For $25 a week you will have access to the studio and can keep your shelf. There is usually 1 to 4 weeks inbetween sessions.